cavatina

[ kav-uh-tee-nuh; Italian kah-vah-tee-nah ]

noun

, Music.

, plural cav·a·ti·ne [kav-, uh, -, tee, -ney, kah-vah-, tee, -ne].

1. a simple song or melody, properly one without a second part or a repeat; an air.

cavatina

/ ˌkævəˈtiːnə /

noun

1. a solo song resembling a simple aria
2. an instrumental composition reminiscent of this

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavatina¹

1830–40; < Italian, equivalent to cavat ( a ) song (literally, something drawn out, noun use of feminine of cavata < Latin cavātus hollowed out, hollow; cave, -ate ¹ ) + -ina -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavatina¹

C19: from Italian

Example Sentences

Schuppanzighs high opinion of the Cavatina was shared by many and also by Beethoven himself.

From Project Gutenberg

A drama was to be produced in which a very difficult cavatina was introduced.

From Project Gutenberg

Palestrina's music resembles the music of Rossini, as the song of the sparrow is like the cavatina of the nightingale.

From Project Gutenberg

A more beautiful rendering of the lovely cavatina "Casta Diva" could not have been heard, Mdme.

From Project Gutenberg

The chord which closed his cavatina had sealed his fame in opera; but his fame was to him as ashes in his mouth.

From Project Gutenberg